How to Take Vacation Pictures That Will Make Your Facebook Friends Drool

What is the most lasting thing about a vacation? The memories you create!

Photographs can last a lifetime and are a wonderful way to preserve your memories of your time spent in Destin.

Today, we go behind the scenes and meet with professional photographer Dave Davis of Old Man and the Sea Photography and get a few Destin photography tips for shooting memorable photos during your vacation. Dave also offers photography workshops if you'd like to take your photography to the next level. Find out more by visiting his Facebook page!

What makes Destin special for photography?

Destin is a special place for many reasons.  In the 26 years I have lived on the Emerald Coast I’ve seen Destin grow from a sleepy little fishing village to the upscale small city it is today.  But it is still a fishing village at heart, and full of photography opportunities.  There are beaches, boats, sea gulls, dolphins, herons, etc. everywhere you look.  Not to mention, there are 3 separate bodies of water which converge right at Destin:  The Gulf of Mexico, the Destin Harbor, and Choctawhatchee Bay…a photographer’s dream.

Tell us about your favorite shooting location in Destin.

My favorite location is to shoot from the Destin Bridge.  I walk down the walkway from the Destin side of the bridge until I can get a shot straight down the Destin Harbor.

Other suggested locations?

Yes, I like to shoot from Noriega Point, which is straight across the Destin Harbor from Harry T’s and AJ’s.  Another neat location is under the Destin Bridge on the Okaloosa Island side.  You can take nice photos from under the bridge, and if you feel like a ½ mile walk, you can walk around the point all the way to the Destin Jetties, where the East Pass meets the Gulf of Mexico.  Hiking through sand is a little strenuous, so I would only recommend it if you are in good shape physically ….but it is worth the walk.

What is your favorite time of day to shoot photos in Destin? Why?

I take all of my photos either early in the morning or late in the evening.  We get some gorgeous sunrises/sunsets and the light during those times can be amazing.

Can travelers shoot decent pictures with a simple point-and-shoot camera in Destin and what tips can you offer for people with this kind of camera?

Point and shoot cameras have advanced to the point where it’s hard to tell if a photo was taken with a point and shoot or a more professional camera.  So, yes, decent photos can be taken with a P&S camera.  In the photography classes that I give, I stress the importance of shooting in good light (early AM or late PM), framing the shot where there is no clutter (telephone poles, other people, etc.) in the photo, and slowly pressing the shutter button while holding the camera near to the body to avoid camera shake.

For serious amateurs, who have digital SLR cameras, what advice can you give them about lens selection (or other equipment) when traveling to Destin?

Bring everything you have! Our area has photography opportunities for everything from a 15mm wide angle lens to a 500mm telephoto.  I would also suggest bringing a tripod….I always use one.

If you could only give one piece of advice for a traveler shooting photos in Destin, what would that be?

Hummm….only one piece of advice…that’s a tough one, but I’d have to say “Catch the good light”.  That means, take your photos in the early morning or late evening.  Have fun with your photography!

Looking for more photographers in Destin? Check out Alexandria White Photography!